Community Involvement

This is one of Happy Joe’s most important core values. When Lawrence Joseph Whitty, “Happy Joe,” opened the first Happy Joe’s in 1972 in the Village of East Davenport, Iowa, he was committed from day one to giving back to his community.

Now that Happy Joe’s is successful with over 60 locations in 6 different states, we remain dedicated and committed to giving back to the communities who have helped make us successful.

We have won numerous awards for our good works and involvement in community programs. We have also created a variety of programs for schools and organized groups.

Feel free to contact the Happy Joe’s nearest you to learn about the products and services we offer to our Happy Joe’s communities.

If you have a special group or cause, we ask that you send us your information in writing for our consideration to become a sponsor or donor. We may not be able to fulfill your entire request, but we will always try to do something to help support your cause.

How to Get Happy Joe’s Involved

Fundraising It’s fun and easy!

Happy Cards

Happy cards are about the size of a credit card and hold 8 coupons on the back. The coupons peel off and can be used at any Happy Joe’s location. The total value of the card exceeds $35. We sell the cards to your group for $1 each and your group or organization resells them for $5, making a $4 profit per card. It’s a wonderful and easy way to raise funds and offer some great discounts at Happy Joe’s. To order your Happy Cards, call the Happy Joe’s nearest you.

The 5-Hour Fundraiser

Another popular fundraiser is the 5-Hour Fundraiser. Your group creates a flyer that says “Order from Happy Joe’s for dine-in, carryout or delivery on a specific date between 4-9 pm and 10% of your purchase will go towards your chosen cause.” Guests must present the flyer when playing for their meal. At the end of the 5 hours all receipts are tallied and within 2 weeks you will receive a check for 10% of the revenues.

This can be a great fundraiser for any group. However, the trick is you need to ensure that the flyers go to many people. Do the math and find out how much your group needs to make and ensure that many orders are coming in. The more we sell, the more you get. Some of our locations will extend this fundraising offer beyond 5 hours. Contact the store nearest you and discuss your event with one of our head coaches or owners.

Buffet Fundraiser

Many of Happy Joe’s locations have buffets or smorgasbords at lunchtime. However, if you have a special group, we may be able to set up a buffet just for you. Call your local Happy Joe’s and ask them about a buffet fundraiser where you keep a portion of the per-head price. Most stores will need to have 40 or more people to make this a viable option.

Customize a Fundraiser

If your local group has an idea for a fundraiser, we’re happy to listen. Customize your own fundraiser utilizing Happy Joe’s products and services and submit it in writing to the store nearest you. We are happy to review it and let you know of we can help.

Happy the Dog

Happy is our mascot. He’s a big, fluffy black and white Dalmatian and kids love him. Happy loves to dance, give hugs and entertain the kids. Contact your local Happy Joe's about having Happy attend your event. He can also be part of your next birthday party. Not all Happy Joe’s locations have a Happy costume. Contact the store nearest you for details.

The Happy Reader Club

Happy Joe’s Happy Reader Club is designed to help educators stress the importance of reading to their students. Students are encouraged to reach agreed-upon monthly reading goals and, in return, receive Happy Joe's pizza certificates as rewards.

Teachers may set goals with students individually, in small groups or as a class. This program is flexible and can be adjusted to fit the needs of your classroom or teaching style. As long as the agreed-upon goals are met, the students are rewarded.

The Happy Reader Club is geared toward K through 8 students and can be used for any three-month period during the school year that best coincides with your reading schedule.

Please call or stop by your local Happy Joe’s to pick up your Happy Reader certificates, tracking sheet or poster. Your Happy Joe’s head coach (manager) will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Special Needs Parties

Before opening his first Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream Parlor, founder Joe Whitty was nearly let go from another pizza chain for sponsoring a party for a group of children with special needs without first checking with his boss.

The night before opening his first restaurant in the Village of East Davenport, IA, Happy Joe invited the local priest to bless his business and he made a promise that if he could make enough money to feed his family, he would give something back to the community.

As it turned out, business was so good that Joe thought maybe he shouldn’t have prayed so hard.

After just a few weeks in business, people were waiting out the door. I wanted to be true to my word, so I shut the restaurant down one day a year to have a party for those less fortunate, and I require my franchisees to do the same. We’ve been having these Special Needs parties for over 42 years, and have hosted over 150,000 children with special needs at parties throughout our chain.

Myatt Dr, Maquoketa, Iowa

Milan, Illinois

Happy Joe’s 350 Grille

350 E Leclaire RdEldridge, Iowa 52748

This location has all of our great Happy Joe’s Pizzas and menu items but also offering an expanded buffet and entrees in a different atmosphere than other Happy Joe’s. We also deliver and have online ordering capabilities!